Tool for removing screw-caps from jars.



No. 736,455. PATENTED AUG. 18, 1903.

' F. L. STORK.

TOOL FOR REMOVING SCREW GAPS FROM JARS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 7

WITNESSES: I INVENTO/i m5 NORRIS PEYERS c0. 'PHoro-umu, wAsHwc'rcN, n a

UNITED STATES iatented August 18, 1903.

FREDERICK L. STORK, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

TOOL FOR REMOVING SCREW-CAPS FROM JARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,455, dated August 18, 1903.

Application filed May 11, 1903. Serial No. 156.566. (No model.)

To all whmn, it may concern;

Be it known that I, FREDERICK L. STORK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tools for Removing Screw- Caps from Jars; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference-being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful. improvements in tools for unscrewing or removing screw-threaded caps or covers from jars-such, for example, as is commonly employed on fruit-jars, maple-syrup cans, and a variety of other receptacles.

The object of the invention is to provide'a single tool or implement with a capacity for unscrewing any screw-cap from the minimum to the maximum sizes usually employed for sealing fruit-jars, cans, and other receptacles.

A further object is to provide such tool or implement with an adjustable jaw that is capable of a most rigid engagement with the screw-cap.

Preceding a detail description of my invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved tool, showing the same gripping a screw-threaded cap of a large diameter such, for example, as the cap of a fruit-jar. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of my improved implement, showing the same adjusted to grip a screw-cap of a smaller diameterfor example, the cap of a maple-syru p can. Fig. 3 illustrates the tool or implement in side elevation attached to the cap of a fruit-jar and in a position to remove said cap. Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the line :1; 0c of Fig. 2.

Throughout the specification similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts. A designates the handle of the implement, which may be of a rounded form, as in Fig. 1, or it may be of a flat form, as in Fig. 3. This handle is constructed of metal and has therein a longitudinal boreB. Extended from the handle, and preferably integral therewith, is

an open frame consisting of parallel parts A, which terminate at their outer ends in a gripping-jaw A, which projects laterally therefrom and has a suitable curvature to engage the far side of a cap L, said cap being of the well-known kind which has a screw-t1] readed engagement with a jar, can, or other receptacle. \Vithin the bore B of the handle there is placed a rack E, a suitable portion of which is provided wit-h teeth F. This rack has on its outer or exposed end a gripping-jaw B, which is an integral part of the rack and is adapted to engage with the screw-threaded cap L at a point opposite the stationary jaw A. In the longitudinal movements of the rack E in bringing the jaw B to the adjusted position the said jaw B is guided on the frame A by means of slots 0 on opposite sides of the jaw and in which the parts of the frame A fit.

H designates an actuating-gear which engages with the rack E and terminates in a handle G, by means of which it is operated and held in position by the hand which grips the handle A in removing or unscrewing the cap.

The said gear H is mounted on a pivot-pin I,

which is supported in cars J, that project from the handle. The-handle has an opening C between these ears, by means of which the gear 11 is enabledto engage with the rack.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that the tool is simple and efficient in its operation, which is as follows: The implement is placed in a position with the stationary gripping-jaw A'at the proper point on the cap, the frame A resting upon the top of the cap. The adjustable gripping-jaw B is then moved to the proper position through the rack and gear-wheel and is moved rigidly against the cap by pressing inwardly on the handle G, in the meantime exerting the necessary lateral force on the handle A to unscrew the cover or cap L. The gripping-jaws A and B are preferably provided on their engaging surfaces with serrations that insure a proper contact with the cap or cover, thereby obviating the possibility of any slipping. In adjusting the movable jaw B to proper positions to engage the smaller diameters of screwcaps the gear II is moved outwardly from the handle to an extent that brings the toothless portion of said gearin proximity to the rack,

thereby disengaging the teeth and permitting the rack to be dropped outwardly until the jaw B engages with the desired point or place on the screw-cap. The handle is then moved back again to make the necessary engagement with therack. The necessary force is then applied to said handle to firmly grip the cap.

Having described my invention, I claim- An adjustable tool for unscrewing the caps or covers from jars, and the like, the same consisting of a handle with a longitudinal opening therein and a side opening communicating with said longitudinal opening, an extended frame on said handle which terminates in a stationary jaw adapted to engage the screw-cap on one side, a rack within the opening in said handle, said rack having a jaw on the end thereof which is guided on the parallel members of the frame in the adjustments thereof to positionsto grip the cap, and a gear pivoted to said handle and engaging with the rack whereby the rack may be moved to suitable positions to bring the adjustable jaw in a proper position to engage the screwcaps of different diameters, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' FREDERICK L. STORK.

Witnesses:

R. J. MOCARTY, O. M. THEOBALD. 

